Hello all, as hinted at in my incoming post below. This has just arrived for me:

I have been interested in acquiring a vintage Tudor for a little while now spurred on by the many great Tudor subs and chronos on display here and else where. With limited funds and no need for an extra dive watch in my collection (I've been lacking a more dressy vintage option) I decided to kill two birds with one stone. First get myself a humble but still appealing vintage Tudor and second fill the craving I have for a Datejust esque watch but which does not look silly on my large wrist. A while ago I bought my wife a early 70's 1601 DJ thinking I would put it on a strap and borrow it when she was not wearing it from time to time. Well that plan was met with scoffs of "that looks like a girls watch on you" from the wife. No disrespect intended to those who love 36mm and under just that my wrist size and personality don't seem to be able pull it off.

So I started look closely at the 38mm Tudor Oysterdates. Unable to find a Day Date Jumbo in my price range and not really needing the complication anyway I opened my eyes to the plainer models. I have fallen for the straight sides, chunky case and simple dial lay out.

The example I found was inexpensive but as always a gamble due to less than stellar photos by the seller. Overall I think it turned out well. The case seems in nice shape without excessive polishing. The original bevels on the lugs are mostly intact and the lugs are thick:

Overall the dial looks good to me (but would appreciate the opinions of those here) with the lume dots aged to various degree. The hands I think have been relumed (or painted black) to match the stick indicies as there is some bleeding or over run on the hour hand but I can live with that:

My only questions really relate to case finish. It would seem the case has had a light brushing but I am unsure which surfaces originally would have had what finish for this model. As mentioned it is a ref 74100 with a serial number of 590XX.

In others I've seen it appears the bezel has a mirror finish but my bezel is brushed. The upper most surface of my lugs looks as they should but the sides of the case are also brushed (or could just be dull from age) with the section right underneath the crown appearing polished. This can be seen here:

Lastly can anyone tell me what would be more appropriate for this watch, a Rolex signed buckle (i.e. with the crown logo) or a Tudor signed buckle with the shield logo? I intend to wear it on the shell cordovan strap you see in the pictures which has a nice "INOX" vintage buckle on it but down the track I'd like a signed buckle. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.